Lets talk about new vehicles

[Zee09]

I didn't even think about buying the Bronco Sport. I don't like the looks. I had already looked at the interior room. There was very little room for storage behind the rear seat.

I doesn't look like it would either

 

[MParr]

I didn't even think about buying the Bronco Sport. I don't like the looks. I had already looked at the interior room. There was very little room for storage behind the rear seat.

Also, the rear seats of the Escape will recline slightly and will move forward and backwards. I'm 6'2" and I have plenty of knee room in the back seat.

 

[Zee09]

Not really auto related but I found some
Nylatron® GSM in the shop .875 rod stock. It turned like a dream and came out a matte dark gray. Amazing to machine. Very high quality and the rod had a blue stamping on it... it said Mitsubishi Chemical Corp on it ..... figures....

 

[02SE]

Not really auto related but I found some
Nylatron® GSM in the shop .875 rod stock. It turned like a dream and came out a matte dark gray. Amazing to machine. Very high quality and the rod had a blue stamping on it... it said Mitsubishi Chemical Corp on it ..... figures....

One auto related application of Nylatron, is it's one of the materials used in 14-71 Superchargers used in Top Fuel, and Funny Car. It does machine nicely.

 

[Zee09]

Yo Patman
I got the pictures for you just now as I swung by the dealership... they have about 10 more and getting your color should be no problem.

I understand you wanted this DM only so here it is... let me know and my salesperson Pat is willing to deal...
Later
Jim

 

[Patman]

Oh my eyes!!

 

[Pablo]

Oh my eyes!!

They look like either pissed off or scared robot faces. Truly ugg-ree.

 

[Zee09]

Consumer Repots SUVs to avoid apparently....came out 3/13/26

A list of a few to buy too....

 

[KCJeep]

Consumer Repots SUVs to avoid apparently....came out 3/13/26

A list of a few to buy too....

There’s actually vehicles the Dodge Hornet is better than. Who knew?

 

[Zee09]

I have seen some rather impressive Ford Explorer crash tests....but with the infotainment and speedometer going blank for 10 minutes you may need that crash protection

 

[KCJeep]

My son just bought an Explorer a couple months ago. Super nice but it is a 21 so none of that nonsense.

We have definitely seen the Achilles heel of automakers is technology. They can’t keep up with it.

 

[Zee09]

I do like the Explorer
A bit pricey outside of the Active trim

 

[MVAR]

Wife just picked up a '26 Honda Pilot. I detest this thing more than anything I've ever owned. That includes the $1000 beater Chevy Berretta I bought for college. Engine sounds like an older VW TDI, transmission acts like a CVT for the first 3 gears. It's actually less comfortable than my '66 Bronco, didn't think that was possible. I'll be surprised if this thing makes it past 10k mi without work, likely major powertrain work. Told her to get an older 4Runner or Sequoia but she HAD to have a new Pilot. I've yet to drive it. 5mi in the passenger seat & my back is already killing me. Worst seats of all time in this thing. No side bolstering and no real lumbar support. All arm rests are at the wrong height to actually rest arm. Just over 600mi & I'm hoping it spontaneously combusts in a random parking lot & not my garage.

 

[rstsco]

Wife just picked up a '26 Honda Pilot. I detest this thing more than anything I've ever owned. That includes the $1000 beater Chevy Berretta I bought for college. Engine sounds like an older VW TDI, transmission acts like a CVT for the first 3 gears. It's actually less comfortable than my '66 Bronco, didn't think that was possible. I'll be surprised if this thing makes it past 10k mi without work, likely major powertrain work. Told her to get an older 4Runner or Sequoia but she HAD to have a new Pilot. I've yet to drive it. 5mi in the passenger seat & my back is already killing me. Worst seats of all time in this thing. No side bolstering and no real lumbar support. All arm rests are at the wrong height to actually rest arm. Just over 600mi & I'm hoping it spontaneously combusts in a random parking lot & not my garage.

Am I correct in assuming you're not planning on doing early oil changes?

 

[MVAR]

Am I correct in assuming you're not planning on doing early oil changes?

Actually did vacuum out the 0w-20 and replaced with Pennzoil Ultra Platinum 5w-30. Left the original filter in place. Didn't quiet it down.

 

[rstsco]

Actually did vacuum out the 0w-20 and replaced with Pennzoil Ultra Platinum 5w-30. Left the original filter in place. Didn't quiet it down.

I'm curious what you're comparing the engine noise to? I ask because our 2025 Pilot Elite with the J35Y8 engine definitely sounds different than older vehicles with port injection or older technologies. I suspect a lot of what I hear are the high pressure fuel pump and injectors, but can't really say.

We moved from a 2022 Audi Q5 to the Pilot, as I wanted long-term reliability. Definitely a downgrade in comfort. When driving home from the dealership (about 100 miles), I thought something was wrong with the transmission. Either it's smoothed out in the past year and 16k miles, or I've become accustomed to how it feels. Unless we forget, we now only drive in Sport or Tow modes. This does two things: 1) turns off the auto start/stop, and 2) prevents the VCM system from activating. In either mode, the transmission doesn't hunt for the correct (most efficient?) gear continuously. Sport mode holds the gears longer than Tow mode at slower speeds. Play with each to see what you like.

This afternoon I swapped out the winter tires/wheels used on our winter trips to Wisconsin with the OEM Bridgestone Alenzas. The winter setup are 265/60R18 vs the OEM 255/50/R20. The Bridgestones feel as harsh as a work truck/van with load range E tires at max air pressure. Absolutely feel horrible compared to the Continental Viking Contact 8s. I'd put Continental DSW06+ on the Audi and they had a much smoother ride and higher grip than the OEM Continentals that came on it. I want to swap out these Bridgestones, but my wife just retired and has asked I wait a bit and get a little more use out of them. Maybe in the next day or two when she goes back out on the Bridgestones, she'll have a different opinion.

 

[MParr]

I'm curious what you're comparing the engine noise to? I ask because our 2025 Pilot Elite with the J35Y8 engine definitely sounds different than older vehicles with port injection or older technologies. I suspect a lot of what I hear are the high pressure fuel pump and injectors, but can't really say.

We moved from a 2022 Audi Q5 to the Pilot, as I wanted long-term reliability. Definitely a downgrade in comfort. When driving home from the dealership (about 100 miles), I thought something was wrong with the transmission. Either it's smoothed out in the past year and 16k miles, or I've become accustomed to how it feels. Unless we forget, we now only drive in Sport or Tow modes. This does two things: 1) turns off the auto start/stop, and 2) prevents the VCM system from activating. In either mode, the transmission doesn't hunt for the correct (most efficient?) gear continuously. Sport mode holds the gears longer than Tow mode at slower speeds. Play with each to see what you like.

This afternoon I swapped out the winter tires/wheels used on our winter trips to Wisconsin with the OEM Bridgestone Alenzas. The winter setup are 265/60R18 vs the OEM 255/50/R20. The Bridgestones feel as harsh as a work truck/van with load range E tires at max air pressure. Absolutely feel horrible compared to the Continental Viking Contact 8s. I'd put Continental DSW06+ on the Audi and they had a much smoother ride and higher grip than the OEM Continentals that came on it. I want to swap out these Bridgestones, but my wife just retired and has asked I wait a bit and get a little more use out of them. Maybe in the next day or two when she goes back out on the Bridgestones, she'll have a different opinion.

It's going to ride harsh with any 20" wheel and tire package.

 

[MVAR]

I'm curious what you're comparing the engine noise to? I ask because our 2025 Pilot Elite with the J35Y8 engine definitely sounds different than older vehicles with port injection or older technologies. I suspect a lot of what I hear are the high pressure fuel pump and injectors, but can't really say.

We moved from a 2022 Audi Q5 to the Pilot, as I wanted long-term reliability. Definitely a downgrade in comfort. When driving home from the dealership (about 100 miles), I thought something was wrong with the transmission. Either it's smoothed out in the past year and 16k miles, or I've become accustomed to how it feels. Unless we forget, we now only drive in Sport or Tow modes. This does two things: 1) turns off the auto start/stop, and 2) prevents the VCM system from activating. In either mode, the transmission doesn't hunt for the correct (most efficient?) gear continuously. Sport mode holds the gears longer than Tow mode at slower speeds. Play with each to see what you like.

This afternoon I swapped out the winter tires/wheels used on our winter trips to Wisconsin with the OEM Bridgestone Alenzas. The winter setup are 265/60R18 vs the OEM 255/50/R20. The Bridgestones feel as harsh as a work truck/van with load range E tires at max air pressure. Absolutely feel horrible compared to the Continental Viking Contact 8s. I'd put Continental DSW06+ on the Audi and they had a much smoother ride and higher grip than the OEM Continentals that came on it. I want to swap out these Bridgestones, but my wife just retired and has asked I wait a bit and get a little more use out of them. Maybe in the next day or two when she goes back out on the Bridgestones, she'll have a different opinion.

I've had quite a few vehicles over the years but this is our 3rd DI. The other two were a 2013 Fusion 2.0 EB & a Mazdaspeed6 (2.3 DISI). Other vehicles in general have been a few classics, two Volvo (V70R & V70XC), 2007 Fusion 3.0 V6, 2007 Lincoln MKX 3.5 V6, Audi S4 4.2 and a few pickups. Also did take care of my MIL's old (now sold) 2018 CRV with the 1.5T(also DI).

This Pilot sounds like a 4cyl VW TDI with the hood closed & standing 3-4' away from it. Highly doubt injector pulses are that loud. The Fusion & Mazda both had a slight ticking sound for the injectors but certainly weren't perceptible with the hoods closed.

I'm not sure what mode my wife drives in. I've yet to drive it. But, in the first 3 gears, engine rpm stays fairly steady and it acts like the CVT in MIL's old CRV. Just the sound (and feel) of it is annoying while riding in the passenger seat. Like a rubberband pulling you along is the sensation.

As a side note, I've never been a Honda fan for ergonomics. Not a single one I've been in has ever been a comfortable vehicle. Just wasn't expecting this level of discomfort from a $60k vehicle. A $10k work truck would be FAR more comfortable.

 

[Zee09]

I've had quite a few vehicles over the years but this is our 3rd DI. The other two were a 2013 Fusion 2.0 EB & a Mazdaspeed6 (2.3 DISI). Other vehicles in general have been a few classics, two Volvo (V70R & V70XC), 2007 Fusion 3.0 V6, 2007 Lincoln MKX 3.5 V6, Audi S4 4.2 and a few pickups. Also did take care of my MIL's old (now sold) 2018 CRV with the 1.5T(also DI).

This Pilot sounds like a 4cyl VW TDI with the hood closed & standing 3-4' away from it. Highly doubt injector pulses are that loud. The Fusion & Mazda both had a slight ticking sound for the injectors but certainly weren't perceptible with the hoods closed.

I'm not sure what mode my wife drives in. I've yet to drive it. But, in the first 3 gears, engine rpm stays fairly steady and it acts like the CVT in MIL's old CRV. Just the sound (and feel) of it is annoying while riding in the passenger seat. Like a rubberband pulling you along is the sensation.

As a side note, I've never been a Honda fan for ergonomics. Not a single one I've been in has ever been a comfortable vehicle. Just wasn't expecting this level of discomfort from a $60k vehicle. A $10k work truck would be FAR more comfortable.

I have owned many Acuras and Hondas since the early 80s. My 2013 Accord made me finally swear them off until I got a 2025 last year.

The 2025 is a Accord Hybrid . I have many of the beefs you have and more however not to be a know it all but you sort of let them go as the months go on which doesn't mean they aren't there but you learn to deal with it.... sadly it is what it is.

I really get it and I have said for 40 years Honda never learned to build a suspension for American roads and after all the recent bluster they are lackluster in noise abatement.

I feel your pain and best of luck..
I'm pretty sure your 30 weight Pennzoil is on the thin side too...
Update us when you can....

 

[MVAR]

I have owned many Acuras and Hondas since the early 80s. My 2013 Accord made me finally swear them off until I got a 2025 last year.

The 2025 is a Accord Hybrid . I have many of the beefs you have and more however not to be a know it all but you sort of let them go as the months go on which doesn't mean they aren't there but you learn to deal with it.... sadly it is what it is.

I really get it and I have said for 40 years Honda never learned to build a suspension for American roads and after all the recent bluster they are lackluster in noise abatement.

I feel your pain and best of luck..
I'm pretty sure your 30 weight Pennzoil is on the thin side too...
Update us when you can....

The Pennzoil Ultra Platinum was just leftover on the shelf. Think I have enough for one more oil change then it’s on to something else. Plan for the oil was to let the dealer do the free changes & do a vacuum swap in the middle. I’m not going to waste my stock of HPL on it that way so it’ll likely get Mobil 1 0w-30 once the Pennzoil Ultra Platinum is used up.

My wife seems to like the Pilot so far with the exception of calling it pretty gutless. I don’t have to drive it & I mainly drive when we go on trips. Looks like the only real downside is our long summer trips will be in my F150 getting 18-20mpg instead of 30+ in the Pilot. There’s just zero chance I could ride in that thing for a 1200mi round trip. Maybe the driver seat is better, idk? The passenger seat is its own special kind of torture.